STEM school buys Rathdrum land

RATHDRUM - A charter school slated to open next year in Rathdrum has purchased 4 acres on Meyer Road.

North Idaho STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) Charter Academy, a free public charter school set to open in fall 2012 that will serve students in grades 4-8, bought property adjacent to Super 1 Foods.

"We are very excited to have a home for our school," said Scott Thomson, co-founder and business manager.

Thomson said the board examined several options, including leasing existing space, before deciding to purchase land and eventually build a permanent facility.

Terms of the sale, including the price, were not disclosed.

The decision to purchase land and develop the site has delayed the opening of the school a year from the original opening date of this year. The Idaho Public Charter School Commission has approved the change.

The property was purchased with part of more than $300,000 in grants and private donations the school has received over the past year. No tax dollars were spent on the deal.

Co-founder and project coordinator Colleen Thomson said the school has received an additional $250,000 in federal grants to be used for curriculum and equipment for the new school.

Charter schools can't bond or levy for land or facilities.

The building, which is behind Super 1 and will be accessed from Meyer Road, will be 10,0000 to 12,000 square feet.

North Idaho STEM Charter Academy aims to increase students' interest in science, engineering and math through technology to better prepare students for higher education and jobs in an increasingly technical economy. Subjects taught also include reading, language, health and social studies.

The school will be the third charter school in Kootenai County.

It is not related to the youth STAR (Science, Technology and Research) Center planned for north of Rathdrum and the KTEC (Kootenai Technical Education Campus) professional-technical high school to be built on the Rathdrum Prairie.

Students throughout the area can attend North Idaho STEM. Enrollment applications will be taken starting in February 2012.

Info: www.northidahostem.org